{
  "id": 17162128,
  "title": "Excessive cutting of support columns blamed for deadly Ulsan power plant collapse",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/excessive-cutting-of-support-columns-blamed-for-deadly-ulsan-power",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-30T02:32:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/20261030/excessive-cutting-of-support-columns-blamed-for-deadly-ulsan-power-plant-collapse"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Last November, a boiler tower at the Ulsan Thermal Power Plant collapsed during demolition preparations, resulting in seven deaths and two injuries, according to a probe conducted by South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. The culprit, as revealed by investigators, was excessive cutting of support columns ahead of the planned demolition, caused by flawed structural assessments.\n\nThe boiler tower, standing 63.4 meters tall, was part of Unit 5 at the plant located approximately 300 kilometers southeast of Seoul. The investigation committee found that the reduction of support columns was excessive, causing them to lose their ability to support the upper structure's weight.\n\nTo avoid similar accidents in the future, the committee recommended stricter on-site inspections, new technical standards for demolition work, and tighter oversight of high-risk demolition projects.",
  "summary": "The deadly collapse of a boiler tower at a power plant in Ulsan last November was caused by excessive cutting of support columns ahead of its planned demolition by explosives, according to a probe result released Friday. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport released the findings of an investigation committee into the deadly accident at the Ulsan Thermal Power Plant, about 300…",
  "key_points": [
    "Excessive cutting of support columns caused Ulsan power plant collapse",
    "Boiler tower, 63.4 meters tall, part of Unit 5 at plant",
    "Recommendations include stricter inspections and new technical standards"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Flawed structural assessments and improper demolition techniques highlight a critical need for stricter technical standards and tighter oversight to prevent fatal accidents during high-risk industrial dismantling projects.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Excessive cutting of support columns blamed for deadly Ulsan power plant collapse",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/excessive-cutting-of-support-columns-blamed-for-deadly-ulsan-power-17164843",
        "published": "2026-10-30T01:58:13.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}